December 30, 2025

“...knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.” 1 pet 1:18-21 nkjv

Nothing is more foundational nor important to our faith and understanding of who we are in our divine construct, first spiritually born again, as new creations, and then transformed into “living stones,” by the sovereign work of Yahweh [by His plan and intended purpose]. The first element is instantaneous, the second is an ongoing lifelong process… both are nicely summed up in the the two above profound scriptural writings by Peter, who was a “real time” contemporary with Yeshua/Jesus.

Peter’s words are among Bible truths that must be deeply rooted into our most central convictions… they are essentials of absolute faith, substance that cement our body, soul, and spirit together into an unmovable wittiness and faithful follower of our Messiah Yeshua… to help us think and walk just as He did [in His likeness]… as the scripture says,  “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,” phil 2:5-6 nkjv   Note here: when we desire a likeness of Yeshua, we are not “robbers” but “inheritors” of a God ordained nature as believers in Yahweh’s Word. When the incorruptible “seed” Word of Yahweh is growing and producing in our hearts and minds, we then are being transformed into the “likeness” of our Creator. This is a divine mystery, it is not something we can do or “jin up” with religious incantations.

This brings me to the main point of this week’s devotional… that being, too many believers suffer from an “Identity crisis.” Too much religious dogma and institutional theology has corrupted the simple gospel, which can easily be summed up in Paul’s words,  “And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”1 cor 2:1-2 nkjv

Simply saying, along with “churchanity” and manmade doctrines, and in today’s cultures with overflowing distortions and misinformation, we can develop a colloquial and/or hybrid mindset… just where the devil wants us… you need to consider that. It is my opinion, that in particular, the horrible condition of twisted minds that embrace anti-Semitism are rooted in one’s religious ignorance. This is because devilish corruption of truth that Yahweh gave us in the Torah, and in the reality of the person of Yeshua, has birthed the “another Jesus,” which Paul spoke of. Our life experience presents us many “another Jesus” characterizations in secular and religious venues. Anti-Semitism is ultimately Anti-Yahweh and Anti-Yahweh’s people.

To further my point, when the Bible uses the term “my people.” Who are they? Are they a church, a geographic citizenship, religious fraternity, a fleshly birth clan, or some political composite with a claimed inheritance… or whatever? Well for certain, Yahweh DOES have a peculiarly called and defined “people,” who always have been and always will be “HIS PEOPLE”… “ONE PEOPLE,” no multiple groups, subsets, tribes, cultures, nationalities, etc., etc.

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” gal 3:28 nkjv

No religious organization, nation, court of law, constitution, etc., nor otherwise, can put words in Yahweh’s mouth. Yahweh alone makes the rules… got it. Now, since it is so, what does HE say about who these people are…? If you really care to know, please read this link, and the foolishness of men’s confusion and distortions will soon be dispelled and you will know who His people are, and very importantly… if you fit His description. Many of us fall short of His description, but through His longsuffering, lovingkindness, patience, mercy, and love for us, He has made, through our Savior Yeshua, a refuge of help in our need to conform to His expectations of us. It is a good idea to be delivered from religious ignorance… anti-Semitism and hatred for Christians and Jews is on the rise… some are simply ignorant, some are wicked… Yahweh has the last word… better to get it right.

Shalom, John